Smart card with built-in support provisioning mechanism

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for augmenting a dedicated payment instrument to leverage built-in access to real-time support from a central system are provided. Methods may be executed via computer-executable instructions that are stored in a non-transitory memory of the instrument and run on a microprocessor embedded in the instrument. Methods may include receiving a request from a user of the instrument, via one or more sensors, to initiate a support session. The sensors may include a camera, a microphone, and/or a tactile sensor. Methods may include transmitting the request to the central system via a wireless communication element, and receiving, from the central system, support session data. Methods may also include displaying, on a display screen, information based on the support session data.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

Aspects of the disclosure relate to computer systems. Specifically,aspects of the disclosure relate to systems and methods for providingspecialized smart payment instruments.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Payment instruments, such as credit and debit cards, are utilized bymillions of users every day across the globe. Maximizing the utility ofsuch instruments often relies on a robust support system. Support mayinclude a session with a support associate. Support may includeexecution of a request, such as a balance transfer associated with theinstrument. Support may also include resolution of an inquiry, such asan account balance inquiry associated with the instrument, a transactioninformation inquiry associated with the instrument, or an offer inquiryassociated with the instrument.

Typically, receiving the requisite support involves activity external tothe instrument. The user must generally visit a physical branch of afinancial institution, or conduct a telephone call or other form ofcommunication via a separate device, to receive the support.Necessitating external activity is inconvenient and inefficient.Involving separate devices may also present security risks.

It would be desirable, therefore, to provide systems and methods forsmart payment instruments with built-in support provisioning mechanisms,thereby increasing the efficiency and security of the paymentinstruments.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a smart payment instrument. Thesmart payment instrument may be a dedicated smart payment instrumentwith built-in support provisioning mechanisms. The instrument mayinclude a microprocessor, a display screen, and one or more sensors. Thesensors may include a camera, a microphone, and/or a tactile sensor.

The instrument may also include a power source for the microprocessor,the display screen, and the sensors. The instrument may also include awireless communication element configured to provide wirelesscommunication between the instrument and a central system. Theinstrument may also include a non-transitory memory storingcomputer-executable instructions, that, when run on the microprocessor,are configured to provide some or all of the instrument functionality.

The instrument may be configured to receive a request from a user of theinstrument, via the sensors, to initiate a support session. Theinstrument may transmit the request to the central system via thewireless communication element. The instrument may receive, from thecentral system, support session data. The instrument may display, on thedisplay screen, information based on the support session data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent uponconsideration of the following detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencecharacters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative system in accordance with principles of thedisclosure;

FIG. 2 shows an illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows another illustrative apparatus in accordance withprinciples of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows an illustrative system architecture in accordance withprinciples of the disclosure; and

FIG. 5 shows another illustrative system architecture in accordance withprinciples of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

A smart payment instrument with built-in support provisioning mechanismsis provided. The instrument may provide increased efficiency andsecurity. For example, efficiency may be increased by eliminating theneed to use a device external to the instrument for receiving support.Security may be increased by providing a system with dedicatedtransactional hardware, software, and/or communication channels. Such asystem may be associated with a decreased risk of infection withmalware, spyware, or other security risk factors.

The instrument may include a microprocessor, a display screen, and oneor more sensors. The sensors may include a camera, a microphone, and/ora tactile sensor.

The instrument may also include a power source for the microprocessor,the display screen, and the sensors. The instrument may also include awireless communication element configured to provide wirelesscommunication between the instrument and a central system. Theinstrument may also include a non-transitory memory storingcomputer-executable instructions. The instructions, when run on themicroprocessor, may be configured to perform some or all of thedisclosed features of the system.

The instrument may be configured to receive a request from a user of theinstrument, via the sensors, to initiate a support session. Theinstrument may transmit the request to the central system via thewireless communication element. The instrument may receive, from thecentral system, support session data. The instrument may displayinformation on the display screen. The information may be based on thesupport session data.

The instrument may, in certain preferred embodiments, be a card. Thecard may include metal and/or plastic. The card may at least partiallyresemble a typical debit or credit card. The card may have dimensionsthat conform to the ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 standard. The dimensions may, insome embodiments, be no greater than 86 millimeters×54 millimeters×0.8millimeters.

In certain embodiments of the instrument, the wireless communicationelement may include a nano wireless network interface card (“NIC”). Thewireless communication element may include any suitable componentcapable of facilitating wireless communication.

In some embodiments, the power source may be rechargeable. The powersource may recharge via solar energy. The power source may recharge viainductive charging, e.g., with a wireless recharging mechanism. Thepower source may recharge via a charging port. A charging port mayinclude mini or micro Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors, or anyother suitable connector. The power source may recharge via any othersuitable charging mechanism.

In some embodiments, the microprocessor, the power source, the wirelesscommunication element, and/or the memory may be embedded in the card.The display screen may be affixed to the card and may be viewable on asurface of the card.

In certain embodiments, the request may be an audible request. Theinstrument may receive the request via the microphone. The instrumentmay process the request via voice recognition software.

In some embodiments, the request may be received via a tactile sensor.The tactile sensor may include a keypad that is separate from thedisplay screen. In other embodiments, the tactile sensor may be a partof the display screen, and the display screen may be augmented to be atouchscreen.

The support session may, in certain embodiments, include a live videosupport session with a support associate. In response to a request for alive support session, the instrument may transmit the request to thecentral system. The central system may generate a scheduled time for thesupport session. The instrument may receive the scheduled time from thecentral system, and may further display the scheduled time via thedisplay screen. At the scheduled time, the instrument may host the livevideo support session.

In some embodiments, to host the live video support session, theinstrument may be configured to, in real time: receive video and/oraudio of the support associate from the central system, and display thevideo of the support associate via the display screen and/or play theaudio of the support associate via a speaker component of theinstrument. The instrument may also be configured to receive audio ofthe user via the microphone and/or to receive video of the user via thecamera, and transmit the audio of the user and/or the video of the userto the central system.

In some embodiments, the support session may include: a balance transferassociated with the instrument; an account balance inquiry associatedwith the instrument; a transaction information inquiry associated withthe instrument; or an offer inquiry associated with the instrument. Asupport session may include execution of a transaction. In certainembodiments, the instrument may be configured to support all of theexemplary support sessions enumerated herein, in addition to any othersuitable support session that may be useful in association with apayment instrument. The instrument may enable a user to select from alist and/or request a particular support session from the multiplesupported types of support sessions.

A method for augmenting a dedicated payment instrument to leveragebuilt-in access to real-time support from a central system is provided.The method may be executed via computer-executable instructions that arestored in a non-transitory memory of the instrument and run on amicroprocessor embedded in the instrument.

The method may include receiving a request from a user of theinstrument, via one or more sensors, to initiate a support session. Thesensors may include a camera, a microphone, and/or a tactile sensor.

The method may include transmitting the request to the central systemvia a wireless communication element, and receiving, from the centralsystem, support session data. The method may also include displaying, ona display screen, information based on the support session data.

In certain embodiments, the request may be an audible request. Themethod may further include receiving the request via the microphone, andprocessing the request via voice recognition software.

In some embodiments, the request may be received via the tactile sensor,and the tactile sensor may include a keypad that is separate from thedisplay screen. In other embodiments, the tactile sensor may be a partof the display screen, and the display screen may be configured to be atouchscreen.

The support session may, in certain embodiments, include a live videosupport session with a support associate. In response to a request for alive video support session, the method may include: the central systemgenerating a scheduled time for the support session; the instrumentreceiving the scheduled time from the central system; the instrumentdisplaying the scheduled time via the display screen; and, at thescheduled time, the instrument hosting the live video support session.

In certain embodiments, to host the live video support session, themethod may include receiving video and audio of the support associatefrom the central system, and displaying the video of the supportassociate via the display screen and playing the audio of the supportassociate via a speaker component of the instrument. The method may alsoinclude receiving audio of the user via the microphone and receivingvideo of the user via the camera, and transmitting the audio of the userand the video of the user to the central system.

In some embodiments of the method, the support session may include: abalance transfer associated with the instrument; an account balanceinquiry associated with the instrument; a transaction informationinquiry associated with the instrument; or an offer inquiry associatedwith the instrument.

Apparatus and methods described herein are illustrative. Apparatus andmethods in accordance with this disclosure will now be described inconnection with the figures, which form a part hereof. The figures showillustrative features of apparatus and method steps in accordance withthe principles of this disclosure. It is understood that otherembodiments may be utilized, and that structural, functional, andprocedural modifications may be made without departing from the scopeand spirit of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative block diagram of system 100 that includescomputer 101. Computer 101 may alternatively be referred to herein as a“server” or a “computing device.” Computer 101 may be a workstation,desktop, laptop, tablet, smart phone, or any other suitable computingdevice. Elements of system 100, including computer 101, may be used toimplement various aspects of the systems and methods disclosed herein.

Computer 101 may have a processor 103 for controlling the operation ofthe device and its associated components, and may include RAM 105, ROM107, input/output module 109, and a memory 115. The processor 103 mayalso execute all software running on the computer—e.g., the operatingsystem and/or voice recognition software. Other components commonly usedfor computers, such as EEPROM or Flash memory or any other suitablecomponents, may also be part of the computer 101.

The memory 115 may be comprised of any suitable permanent storagetechnology—e.g., a hard drive. The memory 115 may store softwareincluding the operating system 117 and application(s) 119 along with anydata 111 needed for the operation of the system 100. Memory 115 may alsostore videos, text, and/or audio assistance files. The videos, text,and/or audio assistance files may also be stored in cache memory, or anyother suitable memory. Alternatively, some or all of computer executableinstructions (alternatively referred to as “code”) may be embodied inhardware or firmware (not shown). The computer 101 may execute theinstructions embodied by the software to perform various functions.

Input/output (“I/O”) module may include connectivity to a microphone,keyboard, touch screen, mouse, and/or stylus through which a user ofcomputer 101 may provide input. The input may include input relating tocursor movement. The input may relate to transactional information. Theinput/output module may also include one or more speakers for providingaudio output and a video display device for providing textual, audio,audiovisual, and/or graphical output. The input and output may berelated to provisioning support associated with a payment instrument.

System 100 may be connected to other systems via a local area network(LAN) interface 113.

System 100 may operate in a networked environment supporting connectionsto one or more remote computers, such as terminals 141 and 151.Terminals 141 and 151 may be personal computers or servers that includemany or all of the elements described above relative to system 100. Thenetwork connections depicted in FIG. 1 include a local area network(LAN) 125 and a wide area network (WAN) 129, but may also include othernetworks. When used in a LAN networking environment, computer 101 isconnected to LAN 125 through a LAN interface or adapter 113. When usedin a WAN networking environment, computer 101 may include a modem 127 orother means for establishing communications over WAN 129, such asInternet 131.

It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areillustrative and other means of establishing a communications linkbetween computers may be used. The existence of various well-knownprotocols such as TCP/IP, Ethernet, FTP, HTTP and the like is presumed,and the system can be operated in a client-server configuration topermit a user to retrieve web pages from a web-based server. Theweb-based server may transmit data to any other suitable computersystem. The web-based server may also send computer-readableinstructions, together with the data, to any suitable computer system.The computer-readable instructions may be to store the data in cachememory, the hard drive, secondary memory, or any other suitable memory.

Additionally, application program(s) 119, which may be used by computer101, may include computer executable instructions for invoking userfunctionality related to communication, such as e-mail, Short MessageService (SMS), and voice input and speech recognition applications.Application program(s) 119 (which may be alternatively referred toherein as “plugins,” “applications,” or “apps”) may include computerexecutable instructions for invoking user functionality relatedperforming various tasks. The various tasks may be related toprovisioning support associated with a payment instrument.

Computer 101 and/or terminals 141 and 151 may also be devices includingvarious other components, such as a battery, speaker, and/or antennas(not shown).

Terminal 151 and/or terminal 141 may be portable devices such as alaptop, cell phone, Blackberry™, tablet, smartphone, or any othersuitable device for receiving, storing, transmitting and/or displayingrelevant information. Terminals 151 and/or terminal 141 may be otherdevices. These devices may be identical to system 100 or different. Thedifferences may be related to hardware components and/or softwarecomponents.

Any information described above in connection with database 111, and anyother suitable information, may be stored in memory 115. One or more ofapplications 119 may include one or more algorithms that may be used toimplement features of the disclosure, and/or any other suitable tasks.

The invention may be operational with numerous other general purpose orspecial purpose computing system environments or configurations.Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/orconfigurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include,but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-heldor laptop devices, tablets, mobile phones, smart phones and/or otherpersonal digital assistants (“PDAs”), multiprocessor systems,microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumerelectronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers,distributed computing environments that include any of the above systemsor devices, and the like.

The invention may be described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Theinvention may also be practiced in distributed computing environmentswhere tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linkedthrough a communications network. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules may be located in both local and remotecomputer storage media including memory storage devices.

FIG. 2 shows illustrative apparatus 200 that may be configured inaccordance with the principles of the disclosure. Apparatus 200 may be acomputing machine. Apparatus 200 may include one or more features of theapparatus shown in FIG. 1. Apparatus 200 may include chip module 202,which may include one or more integrated circuits, and which may includelogic configured to perform any other suitable logical operations.

Apparatus 200 may include one or more of the following components: I/Ocircuitry 204, which may include a transmitter device and a receiverdevice and may interface with fiber optic cable, coaxial cable,telephone lines, wireless devices, PHY layer hardware, a keypad/displaycontrol device or any other suitable media or devices; peripheraldevices 206, which may include counter timers, real-time timers,power-on reset generators or any other suitable peripheral devices;logical processing device 208, which may compute data structuralinformation and structural parameters of the data; and machine-readablememory 210.

Machine-readable memory 210 may be configured to store inmachine-readable data structures: machine executable instructions (whichmay be alternatively referred to herein as “computer instructions” or“computer code”), applications, signals, and/or any other suitableinformation or data structures.

Components 202, 204, 206, 208 and 210 may be coupled together by asystem bus or other interconnections 212 and may be present on one ormore circuit boards such as 220. In some embodiments, the components maybe integrated into a single chip. The chip may be silicon-based.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary payment instrument, illustrative smart card300, according to aspects of the disclosure. Smart card 300 includesdisplay screen 305. Display screen 305 may be configured to displayinformation. For example, display screen 305 shown in FIG. 3 may bedisplaying the video feed of a video conference. The video conferencemay be a live (or, in some embodiments or scenarios, a prerecorded)video chat with a support associate. Smart card 300 may also include aspeaker. The speaker may be configured to play the audio portion of avideo conference or recording. Display screen 305 may, in someembodiments, be used by a user of smart card 300 to enter a request forsupport. Display screen 305 may be a touchscreen.

Smart card 300 includes a microprocessor and other components forcapturing and storing information entered by a user. Smart card 300 may,in certain embodiments, be configured to encrypt the information. Smartcard 300 may also include executable instructions for packaginginformation entered via a keypad (e.g., display screen 305 configured asa touchscreen) into instructions. The instructions may be requests forsupport. The instructions may also be transactional instructions.Transactional instructions may be executed by a secure transactiongateway.

FIG. 3 shows that smart card 300 includes chip 301. Chip 301 may providean electrical contact that is accessible through housing 302. Chip 301may provide an electrical contact for establishing a wired or contactbased communication channel with an ATM or POS terminal when card 300 isinserted into a card reader of the ATM or POS terminal. Chip 301 may bean EMV chip. Chip 301 may facilitate charging of one or more componentsof smart card 300.

Chip 301 may store a copy of information printed on a face of smart card300. For example, chip 301 may store account number 309, user name 315,expiration date 313 and issuing bank 311. Chip 301 may also storeencrypted security information. The encrypted security information maybe utilized to provide a “second factor” method of authentication priorto triggering execution of transaction instructions.

For example, smart card 300 may package information entered by user 315via keypad 305 into transaction instructions. The transactioninstructions may include a PIN associated with smart card 300. Thestaged transaction instructions may be submitted for execution to atransaction gateway without requiring any further input from user 315.The transaction instructions may be transferred to the transactiongateway using wireless circuitry 303. In some embodiments, thetransaction instructions may be transferred via wired communication withchip 301.

After a transaction gateway receives transaction instructions formulatedby smart card 300, the transaction gateway may, in certain embodiments,first verify that the PIN included in the transaction instructions isassociated with smart card 300. For example, the transaction gateway maycommunicate with a remote payment processing server operated by theissuer and determine whether the received PIN is associated with username 315 and/or account number 309.

As a second factor method of authentication, the transaction gateway maydetermine whether the PIN included in the transaction instructionssuccessfully unlocks encrypted security information stored on chip 301.If the PIN successfully unlocks the encrypted security information, thetransaction gateway may execute the received transaction instructions.

Smart card 300 may be any suitable size. FIG. 3 shows that smart card300 has width w and length l. For example, width w may be 53.98millimeters (“mm”). Length l may be 85.60 mm. Smart card 300 hasthickness t. An illustrative thickness t may be 0.8 mm. An exemplaryform factor of smart card 300 may be 53.98 mm×85.60 mm×0.8 mm. Such anexemplary form factor may allow smart card 300 to conveniently fit intoa user's wallet or pocket. This exemplary form factor may allow smartcard 300 to fit into a card reader of an ATM or POS terminal.

FIG. 4 shows exemplary system architecture 400 according to aspects ofthe disclosure. User 401 may interface with the system via front façade403. The interface may be in the form of tactile input of instructions.In some preferred embodiments, the interface may be in the form of voiceinstructions entered via a microphone. The instructions may beinterpreted via command interpreter 405. Interpretation may includenatural language processing (NLP) executed by NLP processor 407. Theinstructions and/or interpretations may be verified via verificationcontroller 409.

The system may communicate via wireless controller 411. Wirelesscommunications may be transmitted to device 427. Device 427 may be anearby mobile phone. The mobile phone may be associated with user 401.

User 401 may interface with the system via front façade 403 by receivinginformation. The information may include a video conference with asupport representative. The video may be received via video controller413. Video controller 413 may receive information to display fromcentral system interface 423. Central system interface 423 may beassociated with a financial institution such as bank 425.

User instructions processed via front façade 403 may be transmittedcentral system interface 423 via one of multiple controllers. Atransaction instruction may be transmitted via payment controller 415.Executing a transaction instruction may include transmitting thetransaction to payment gateway 421. A rewards inquiry may be transmittedvia rewards and offers controller 417. A transaction or otherinformation inquiry may be transmitted via controller 419. Components403-419 may be resident on a smart card configured according to aspectsof the disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows another exemplary system architecture including smart card500 according to aspects of the disclosure. Smart card 500 may includeone or more features of smart cards 300 or the system shown inarchitecture 400. Smart card 500 includes information controller 523.Information controller 523 may direct data associated with videocontroller 525. Smart card 500 may display information (e.g., a videofeed) via video unit 513. The information may be derived from the dataassociated with video controller 525.

Information controller 523 may include, or work in conjunction with, NLPcontroller 510. NLP controller 510 may direct data captured via NLPprocessor 505. The NLP data may include the translation of audibleinstruction (captured, for example, by a microphone) into computerexecutable instructions. Information controller 523 may, in someembodiments, encrypt the data. Illustrative encryption algorithmsinclude RSA cryptography, Blowfish, AES, RC4, RC5, and RC6. Informationcontroller 523 may store data locally on smart card 500.

Smart card 500 includes microprocessor 509 which controls overalloperation of smart card 500 and its associated components. For example,microprocessor 509 may control operation of NIC 507 and communicationvia wireless controller 527 and WiFi component 515. Wirelesscommunication may be with one or more central systems, such as bank(s)517 and 519 which may be associated with the user and/or senders orreceivers in a transaction. In case of a transaction, the system mayinclude payment controller 521.

The steps of methods may be performed in an order other than the ordershown and/or described herein. Embodiments may omit steps shown and/ordescribed in connection with illustrative methods. Embodiments mayinclude steps that are neither shown nor described in connection withillustrative methods.

Illustrative method steps may be combined. For example, an illustrativemethod may include steps shown in connection with another illustrativemethod.

Apparatus may omit features shown and/or described in connection withillustrative apparatus. Embodiments may include features that areneither shown nor described in connection with the illustrativeapparatus. Features of illustrative apparatus may be combined. Forexample, an illustrative embodiment may include features shown inconnection with another illustrative embodiment.

The drawings show illustrative features of apparatus and methods inaccordance with the principles of the invention. The features areillustrated in the context of selected embodiments. It will beunderstood that features shown in connection with one of the embodimentsmay be practiced in accordance with the principles of the inventionalong with features shown in connection with another of the embodiments.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the steps shownand described herein may be performed in other than the recited orderand that one or more steps illustrated may be optional. The methods ofthe above-referenced embodiments may involve the use of any suitableelements, steps, computer-executable instructions, or computer-readabledata structures. In this regard, other embodiments are disclosed hereinas well that can be partially or wholly implemented on acomputer-readable medium, for example, by storing computer-executableinstructions or modules or by utilizing computer-readable datastructures.

Thus, methods and systems for a smart card with built-in supportprovisioning mechanism are provided. Persons skilled in the art willappreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than thedescribed embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustrationrather than of limitation, and that the present invention is limitedonly by the claims that follow.

1. A dedicated smart payment instrument with built-in supportprovisioning mechanisms, said instrument comprising: a microprocessor; adisplay screen; one or more sensors, said sensors comprising a camera, amicrophone, and/or a tactile sensor; a power source for themicroprocessor, the display screen, and the sensors; a wirelesscommunication element configured to provide wireless communicationbetween the instrument and a central system; and a non-transitory memorystoring computer-executable instructions, that, when run on themicroprocessor, are configured to: receive a request from a user of theinstrument, via the sensors, to initiate a support session; transmit therequest to the central system via the wireless communication element;receive, from the central system, support session data; and display, onthe display screen, information based on the support session data,wherein, in response to the request: the instrument transmits therequest to the central system; the central system generates a scheduledtime for the support session; the instrument receives the schedule timefrom the central system; the instrument displays the scheduled time viathe display screen; and at the schedule time, the instrument hosts thesupport session.
 2. The instrument of claim 1, wherein: the request isan audible request; the instrument receives the request via themicrophone; and the request is processed via voice recognition software.3. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the request is received via thetactile sensor, and the tactile sensor comprises a keypad that isseparate from the display screen.
 4. The instrument of claim 1, whereinthe request is received via the tactile sensor, and the tactile sensoris a part of the display screen, wherein the display screen is augmentedto be a touchscreen.
 5. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the supportsession comprises an interactive live video support session with asupport associate.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The instrument of claim 5, wherein,to host the live video support session, the instrument is configured to,in real time: receive video and audio of the support associate from thecentral system, and display the video of the support associate via thedisplay screen and play the audio of the support associate via a speakercomponent of the instrument; and receive audio of the user via themicrophone and receive video of the user via the camera, and transmitthe audio of the user and the video of the user to the central system.8. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the support session comprises: abalance transfer associated with the instrument; an account balanceinquiry associated with the instrument; a transaction informationinquiry associated with the instrument; and/or an offer inquiryassociated with the instrument.
 9. The instrument of claim 1, whereinthe instrument is a card, said card comprising metal and/or plastic. 10.The instrument of claim 9, wherein the card has dimensions that conformto the ISO/IEC, 7810 ID-1 standard, said dimensions being no greaterthan 86 millimeters×54 millimeters×0.8 millimeters.
 11. The instrumentof claim 9, wherein: the wireless communication element is a nanowireless network interface card (“NIC”); the power source isrechargeable via solar energy, inductive charging, and/or a chargingport; and the microprocessor, the power source, the wirelesscommunication element, and the memory are embedded in the card.
 12. Amethod for augmenting a dedicated payment instrument to leveragebuilt-in access to real-time support from a central system, said methodexecuted via computer-executable instructions that are stored in anon-transitory memory of the instrument and run on a microprocessorembedded in the instrument, the method comprising: receiving a requestfrom a user of the instrument, via one or more sensors, to initiate asupport session, said sensors comprising a camera, a microphone, and/ora tactile sensor; transmitting the request to the central system via awireless communication element; receiving, from the central system,support session data; and displaying, on a display screen, informationbased on the support session data; wherein: the support sessioncomprises an interactive live video support session with a supportassociate.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the request is an audiblerequest, and the method further comprises: receiving the request via themicrophone; and processing the request via voice recognition software.14. The method of claim 12, wherein the request is received via thetactile sensor, and the tactile sensor comprises a keypad that isseparate from the display screen.
 15. The method of claim 12, whereinthe request is received via the tactile sensor, and the tactile sensoris a part of the display screen, wherein the display screen isconfigured to be a touchscreen.
 16. (canceled)
 17. The method of claim12 wherein, in response to the request, the method further comprises:the central system generating a scheduled time for the support session;the instrument receiving the scheduled time from the central system; theinstrument displaying the scheduled time via the display screen; and atthe scheduled time, the instrument hosting the live video supportsession.
 18. The method of claim 12 wherein, to host the live videosupport session, the method further comprises: receiving video and audioof the support associate from the central system, and displaying thevideo of the support associate via the display screen and playing theaudio of the support associate via a speaker component of theinstrument; and receiving audio of the user via the microphone andreceiving video of the user via the camera, and transmitting the audioof the user and the video of the user to the central system.
 19. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the support session comprises: a balancetransfer associated with the instrument; an account balance inquiryassociated with the instrument; a transaction information inquiryassociated with the instrument; and/or an offer inquiry associated withthe instrument.
 20. A system configured to provide internal real-timesupport for a smartcard, thereby increasing efficiency and security ofthe smart card, the system comprising: a microprocessor embedded in thesmart card; a display screen that is affixed to the smart card; a powersource for the microprocessor and the display screen, said power sourcethat is embedded in the smart card and is rechargeable via solar energy,inductive charging, and/or a charging port; one or more sensors, saidsensors comprising a camera, a microphone, and/or a tactile sensor; awireless communication element configured to provide wirelesscommunication to a central system, wherein the wireless communicationelement is a nano wireless network interface card (“NIC”) that isembedded in the smart card; and a non-transitory memory embedded in thesmart card and storing computer-executable instructions, that, when runon the microprocessor, are configured to: receive a request from a userof the smart card, via the sensors, to initiate a support session;transmit the request to the central system via the wirelesscommunication element; receive, from the central system, support sessiondata; and display, on the display screen, information based on thesupport session data; and wherein the support session comprises aninteractive live video support session with a support associate, and inresponse to the request: the central system generates a scheduled timefor the support session; the smart card receives the scheduled time fromthe central system; the smart card displays the scheduled time via thedisplay screen; and at the scheduled lime, the smart card hosts the livevideo support session, and to host the live video support session, thesmart card is configured to, in real time: receive video and audio ofthe support associate from the central system, and display the video ofthe support associate via the display screen and play the audio of thesupport associate via a speaker component of the smart card; and receiveaudio or the user via the microphone and receive video or the user viathe camera, and transmit the audio of the user and the video or the userto the central system.